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Avalanche’s Devon Toews out tonight vs. Stars

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Colton Davies | Last updated 5/13/24

Just a short time after the NHL/NHLPA announced that Colorado Avalanche forward Val Nichushkin has entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program, the Avs will now also be losing one of their top defenseman, Devon Toews.

Toews was at morning skate but came down with an “illness” reportedly before tonight’s game vs Dallas.

Devon Toews is OUT. Caleb Jones is on the ice for warmups.

Toews was at morning skate.
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) May 14, 2024

Defenseman Caleb Jones will draw into the lineup for Toews. Jones had five points in 25 regular season games and has made two appearances in the Avs’ 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs run.

Toews has one goal, five assists and six points in eight Stanley Cup Playoff contests, he sits tied for third among Avs’ defensemen with Josh Manson.

The 30-year-old played all 82 regular season games, notching 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points. Toews ranked sixth among Avs’ skaters in points and second among defensemen, trailing Cale Makar.

Back in October, Toews signed a monster seven-year $50,750,000 contract that begins in the 2024-25 season, the contract has an average annual value of $7.25 million.

Toews was drafted in the fourth round in 2014 by the New York Islanders and traded to Colorado in 2020. Toews is a solid two-way defenseman with a mid-sized 6-foot-1 build. He spent three years with Quinnipiac University from 2013-16, winning the ECAC title in his final year.

Colorado trails the Stars 2-1 in the series. Following tonight’s game, the next matchup is Wednesday, May 15.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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